Some Advice Would Be Much Appreciated

[Jabronie]

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I'm currently going into my 4th year at a UC and am not very optimistic about applying (ill be taking a year off, so im applying this upcoming june). I have yet to take the MCAT, but my other stats are as follows:

**these include classes that i have retaken
3.19 cGPA
3.17 sGPA

-1 year of work at an environmental science lab (letter of rec from professor)
-1 quarter (will end up being a year and a quarter) working in a cell bio lab (letter of rec from professor), possibly a publication credit
-2 years in global public health brigades, 1 of which spent as a VP
-just started volunteering at the hospital, anticipate 1 year/200 hours
-just started working at a doctor's office, anticipate achieving the minimum 50 shadow hours (letter of rec from MD)

Now, let's not sugarcoat it. I'm not sitting pretty. I'm already talking myself up for the upcoming year to push out as high of a GPA as possible, but at this point i anticipate 3.45ish to be as high as it gets. I'm not really considering Cali schools because my app simply isn't going to be strong enough, but i'll be happy to leave the state if it means i can study medicine (i can't imagine doing anything else). I would retake classes, but it just so happens that i cannot retake anything higher than a C- which i don't have any more of. That's my reward for getting a higher crappy grade 🙄. I had a rough start at school but made somewhat of an improvement; 2.8 freshman year, 3.08 sophomore year, 3.45 junior (including a summer). So does anybody have any advice?

Also:

what's the main mode of LoR submission? i see interfolio and AMCAS, but don't really understand why you wouldn't just use AMCAS?

does a directed studies class (credits-for-working-in-lab) in the MCDB department count toward sGPA?

Thanks everyone, input is very much appreciated.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm currently going into my 4th year at a UC and am not very optimistic about applying (ill be taking a year off, so im applying this upcoming june). I have yet to take the MCAT, but my other stats are as follows:

**these include classes that i have retaken
3.19 cGPA
3.17 sGPA

-1 year of work at an environmental science lab (letter of rec from professor)
-1 quarter (will end up being a year and a quarter) working in a cell bio lab (letter of rec from professor), possibly a publication credit
-2 years in global public health brigades, 1 of which spent as a VP
-just started volunteering at the hospital, anticipate 1 year/200 hours
-just started working at a doctor's office, anticipate achieving the minimum 50 shadow hours (letter of rec from MD)

Now, let's not sugarcoat it. I'm not sitting pretty. I'm already talking myself up for the upcoming year to push out as high of a GPA as possible, but at this point i anticipate 3.45ish to be as high as it gets. I'm not really considering Cali schools because my app simply isn't going to be strong enough, but i'll be happy to leave the state if it means i can study medicine (i can't imagine doing anything else). I would retake classes, but it just so happens that i cannot retake anything higher than a C- which i don't have any more of. That's my reward for getting a higher crappy grade 🙄. I had a rough start at school but made somewhat of an improvement; 2.8 freshman year, 3.08 sophomore year, 3.45 junior (including a summer). So does anybody have any advice?

Also:

1) what's the main mode of LoR submission? i see interfolio and AMCAS, but don't really understand why you wouldn't just use AMCAS?

2) does a directed studies class (credits-for-working-in-lab) in the MCDB department count toward sGPA?

Thanks everyone, input is very much appreciated.

You might consider either a fifth year of college (if they will let you stay), or a one year unofficial postbac, as even with straight As this coming year, you will be looked on as not having had "consistent high grades, if you only have year's worth." Yes, you have an upward grade trend, but have yet to generate a GPA higher than the average acceptee to MD schools.

You could also consider applying to DO med schools, which allow grade replacement when you retake, provided the credit hours are the same or greater (need not be at the same school). You might calculate how many classes you'd need to do over to get your AACOMAS GPA to the 3.3-3.5 range.

You might also consider establishing residency in a more forgiving state, which would usually mean living there for a year without going to school.

1) Because AMCAS doesn't save LORs from year to year.

2) If it's in the science department and the course has a science prefix, it counts toward the BCPM GPA.

 

[Jabronie]

Thanks so much for the response Cat.

I've been thinking over the idea of DO school but i think it's a matter of pride that i'd rather get an MD. However, considering my predicament, i might have to settle.

The postbac program sounds appealing, though i'd have to do some research as to what school i could attend.

Hypothetically speaking, if i was to do very well this year and get that 3.45 or so with a moderate to strong MCAT (say 33) should i even bother trying to apply?

 

[Catalystik]

A 3.45/33 gave ALL past applicants a 60% chance of acceptance. That may sound pretty good, but keep in mind that it includes those with special circumstances (SMPers or high BCPM or sustained upward grade trend), those representing special population groups, and those with very lenient state schools. A 40% chance is still a chance, though.

A postbac can be a formal program, or one you do yourself at your own pace (which costs less). You can find a list in SDN's Postbaccalaureate Programs Forum.